Electric system of propulsion



(No Model.) 2 SDeetS Sheet l. W. M. BROWN. ELECTRIC SYSTEM OF PROPULSION.

No. 599,162. Patented Feb. 15, 1898.

J Q W a.

WITNESSES:

ATTORNE (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W. M. BROWN. ELEGTRIG SYSTEM OF PROPULSION. No. 599,162. Patented Feb. 15,1898.

% v .4 E i 3 iTF 9 i 1 fi i 2 Q W B M I WITNESSES: 2 M lf/VgTO/i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM MILTON BROWN, OF JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR'TO THE JOHNSON COMPANY, OF LORAIN, OHIO.

ELECTRIC SYSTEM OF PROPULSION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 599,162, dated February 15, 1898.

Application filed May 18, 1897. Serial No. 637,078. (No model.)

To. ctZZ whom it may concern.-

Beitknown that LWILLIAMMILTONBROWN, of J ohnstown, Oambria county,Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Systems of Propulsion, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of systems in which non-continuous or isolated contacts are fixed in the line of travel of the propelled vehicle, so that current may be delivered from said contacts to a suitable currentcollector carried by said vehicle. In this class of railways it is essential that the working parts adapted for connection with the source of supply should be so arranged and interconnected that each member between the power-house and the contacts (or the switches in circuit with the contacts) shall normally be in the same electric circuit, but yet easily cut out of the main circuit in case of accident. Other things being equal, it is evident that the best railway of this type is that in which any member forming part of the circuit may be quickly cut out therefrom without cutting out any other member.

It is the object of this invention to provide such a combination of the main feeders, the subfeeders, the junction-boxes between the two, and the connections to complete the circuit through the foregoing parts to the contacts that an accident to any member need not cause substantial delay in the operation of the railway.

My invention therefore consists in the improved arrangement of the main feeders, subfeeders, junction-boxes, contacts, and safety devices, as will be hereinafter set forth.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional view of my improved junction-box. Fig. 2 is a plan, largely in section, on the line X X of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of the track, showing the arrangement of the junction-box, main feeders, cntact-boxes, and subfeeders thereto. Fig. 4 is aview similar to Fig. 2 of a slightly-modified form of junction-box; and Fig. 5 is a diagram similar to Fig. 3, showing the arrangement I prefer when using the modified form of box shown in Fig. 4E.

The rails of the track A are supposed to be connected to one side of the circuit, while the feeders B are in connection with the other side of the circuit.

0 is a j unction-box, which I prefer to place between the railroad-tracks at intervals of about five hundred feet.

D represents subfeeders which connect the feeders B with the various contacts E by means of suitable connections within the junction-boxes.

The junction-box is formed of a main casting 0, having upward projections C from the base of the box, upon which is secured a slab F, of slate or other insulating material. The feeders B enter each end of the junction-box through suitable openings and are secured to electric terminals G, which are bolted to the slab F. Between these terminals a short flexible connector H is pivotally secured upon the screw-bolt I. I have shown three feeders passing through the box, but it'is clear that there is no reasonable limit to the number that may be employed.

K represents electrical connections with the strip M, from which the subfeeders D pass out to the contacts. Between the strip M and the said subfeeders are secured the fuses N.

Within the junction-box is the circular flange 0 upon which is securely bolted a plate 0 Above the plate 0 is a manholecover 0 having the necessary toe-checks formed in the top.

If any one of the feeders B needs to be re paired or handled for any other reason, the bolt I, securing it within the box, is loosened and the circuit to the particular feeder may then be opened. If desired, the flexible oables H may be connected diagonally, so as to make any combination between the feeders on opposite sides of the box which may be 0 desired.

By the arrangement of fuses with the connectors K and the subfeeders any overload which may be taken in the line of the said subfeeder will open the circuit to said subfeeder without disturbing the circuit to the other subfeeders. In this way the junctionbox controls four distinct sections, and any accident which happens to any contact may be quickly located and easily repaired.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I show a slightly-difierent arrangement. In this arrangement the junction-boxes are brought more closely together, and Within the junction-box are fuses h in circuit with subfeeders D, each of which subfeeders is in circuit with but one of the boxes E. By this arrangement any accident which may occur to one of the boxes will only open the circuit to that particular box, so that there need not be the slightest delay to the vehicles, and the location of the trouble can immediately be exactly located.

I do not desire to limit myself to the use of my invention upon any particular type of electric system, neither do I desire to limit myself to the exact details herein shown and described, for my invention has a broader scope than the specific structure and arrangement chosen for illustration.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to protect byLetters Patent, is-

1. The combination, in an electric railway, of main feeders in sections, detachable connections between adjacent ends of the feedersections, groups of disconnected contacts corresponding in number to that of the said feeder-sections, and subfeeders connecting the individual members of each group with the connected ends of one pair of the feedersections.

2. The combination'of the junction-boxes, the main feeders connected to the source of supply, and composed of sections which are made normally continuous by connections Within the junction-boxes, the subfeeders which are normally connected to the main feeders by other connections within the junction-boxes, and the groups of disconnected contacts, individual members of each group being fed by the subfeeders leading from one of the junction-boxes.

3. The combination of the junction-boxes, the main feeders connected to the source of supply, and composed of sections which are made normally continuous by connections within the junction -boxes, the subfeeders which are normally connected to the main feeders by other connections within the j unction-boxes, the safety device in circuit with each subfeeder, and the groups of disconnected contacts,individual members of each group being fed by the subfeeders leading from one of the junction-boxes.

4. The combination of a plurality of junc- Lion-boxes, the main feeders in disconnected sections normally connected within the junction-boxes, the bared conductor divided into a plurality of groups corresponding in number to that of the junction-boxes, each group comprising a plurality of disconnected sections, subfeeders leading from each junctionbox to the individual members of the adjacent group of contact-sections, each of said subfeeders termin ating at a separate contactsection.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

IVILLIAM MILTON BROWN.

IVitnesses:

ERNEST G. THOMPSON, RICHARD EYRE. 

